Antihistamine and analgesic combination (OTC)

rhinitis treatment in Children with cold

EVIDENCE | NEEDS MORE TESTING - 3 studies with 1,508 children

EFFECTIVENESS | EFFECTIVE for fever, general discomfort, pains and sneezing

SAFETY | PROBABLY SAFE

Treatment with Antihistamine and Analgesic OTC combination. 3 valid studies conducted, with 1,508 participants. It reduces fever, pain and perhaps sneezing, and improves general feeling (but does not seem to reduce cough, runny nose, and stuffy nose) . Side effects seem minor, but the treatment is very dangerous when not sticking to permitted age and dosage.

Analgesic and decongestant combination (OTC)

rhinitis treatment in Children with cold

Treatment with analgesic and decongestant combination (e.g. ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine). Only 1 valid clinical trial conducted, with 65 children. Improves general feeling and Reduces fever, pain, and blockage of the nose. Side effects seem minor, including dizziness that is relatively frequent.

rhinitis treatment in Adults with cold

Treatment with analgesic and decongestant combination (e.g. ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine). 5 valid studies conducted, with 1,627 participants. Improves general feeling and reduces fever, pain, and blockage of the nose. Side effects seem minor, including dizziness that is relatively frequent.

Garlic (food supplement)

Ineffective

rhinitis treatment in Adults with cold

EVIDENCE | NEEDS MORE TESTING - 1 study with 146 adults

EFFECTIVENESS | INEFFECTIVE

SAFETY | PROBABLY SAFE

Treatment with garlic supplement (Allicin tablets). Only 1 valid studies conducted, with 146 adults. More research is needed, to determine benefits and risks. It does not influence the duration of Common Cold occurrences, and there is no proof that it helps any common Cold symptoms. Side effects seem minor.

Vitamin C (vitamin)

Ineffective

rhinitis treatment in Adults with cold

EVIDENCE | REASONABLY TESTED - 7 studies with 3,249 adults

EFFECTIVENESS | INEFFECTIVE

SAFETY | MILD RISKS

Treatment with high dosage of Vitamin C supplement (Ascorbic acid tablets). 7 valid study conducted, with 3,249 individuals. Does not reduce cold symptoms and does not speed up recovery. Mild side effects include diarrhea, upset stomach. May cause kidney stones.

Echinacea (alternative medicine)

Ineffective

rhinitis treatment in Children with cold

EVIDENCE | POORLY TESTED - 1 study with 524 children

EFFECTIVENESS | INEFFECTIVE

SAFETY | MILD RISKS

Treatment with Echinacea extract (Purple coneflower). 1 study conducted, with 431 children. Does not reduce cold symptoms and does not speed up recovery. Mild side effects, rash pretty common. Dangerous for children with allergy.

Echinacea (alternative medicine)

Ineffective

rhinitis treatment in Adults with cold

EVIDENCE | REASONABLY TESTED - 14 studies with 2,924 adults

EFFECTIVENESS | INEFFECTIVE

SAFETY | MILD RISKS

Treatment with Echinacea extract (Purple coneflower). 14 studies conducted, with 2,924 adults. Does not reduce cold symptoms and does not speed up recovery. Mild side effects, including rash and upset stomach.

Antibiotics (RX)

Ineffective

rhinitis treatment in Children with cold

EVIDENCE | NEEDS MORE TESTING - 2 studies with 449 children

EFFECTIVENESS | INEFFECTIVE

SAFETY | MILD RISKS

treating with antibiotics (for example tetracycline). 2 studies conducted, with 449 children. Does not reduce cold symptoms and does not speed up recovery. Mild side effects, including mainly diarrhea.

Antihistamine and decongestant combination (OTC)

Damaging

rhinitis treatment in Toddlers with cold

EVIDENCE | POORLY TESTED - 2 studies with 113 toddlers

EFFECTIVENESS | INEFFECTIVE

SAFETY | DANGEROUS

Treatment with Antihistamine and decongestant combination (e.g. brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine). 2 valid studies conducted, with 113 toddlers and young children. Does not relief symptoms of Common Cold. Dangerous and life threatening for toddlers.

Antibiotics (RX)

Damaging

rhinitis treatment in Adults with cold

EVIDENCE | NEEDS MORE TESTING - 4 studies with 891 adults

EFFECTIVENESS | INEFFECTIVE

SAFETY | DANGEROUS

treating with antibiotics (for example tetracycline). 4 studies conducted, with 891 adults. Does not reduce cold symptoms and does not speed up recovery. Major side effects, including diarrhea and antibiotics resistance.

Paracetamol (OTC)

Unclear

rhinitis treatment in Adults with cold

EVIDENCE | NEEDS MORE TESTING - 4 studies with 758 adults

EFFECTIVENESS | UNCLEAR

SAFETY | MILD RISKS

Treatment with Paracetamol. 4 valid studies conducted, with 758 adults. Unclear impact. May relieve runny and stuffy nose, and does not relief sneezing and coughing. Side effects seem minor as long as you avoid overdose.

Garlic (food supplement)

Unclear

rhinitis prevention in healthy Adults

EVIDENCE | POORLY TESTED - 1 study with 146 adults

EFFECTIVENESS | UNCLEAR

SAFETY | PROBABLY SAFE

Prevention with garlic supplement (Allicin tablets). Only 1 valid study conducted, with 146 adults. More research is needed, to determine benefits and risks. May prevent Common Cold occurrences. Side effects seem minor.

Corticosteroids nasal spray (OTC)

Unclear

rhinitis treatment in Children with cold

EVIDENCE | POORLY TESTED - 1 study with 100 children

EFFECTIVENESS | UNCLEAR

SAFETY | MILD RISKS

Treatment with Corticosteroids nose spray. Only 1 valid study conducted, with 100 children. Unclear effectiveness due to high risk of bias in the trial. Seems safe, but long term usage and higher than the recommended dosage may delay children's' growth.

Common cold, also known simply as a cold, is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose. The throat, sinuses, and voice box may also be affected. Signs and symptoms may begin less than two days following exposure. They include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and fever. People usually recover in seven to ten days. Some symptoms may last up to three weeks. In those with other health problems, pneumonia may occasionally develop. (source)